Public Visits

The Observatory is a private teaching and research establishment, and is not open to visitors except as summarised below.

The Observatory holds free public open evenings, normally on the first and third Fridays of the month, October–March inclusive. At least one Saturday evening tour is made available each term, principally for visitors unable to attend on Fridays for religious reasons. Confirmed bookings are essential (see below), and places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Private group visits can be arranged on request. Charges are levied to cover staffing costs: up to 12 persons, £85; 13-24, £135; 25-36, £185. We regret that groups larger than 36 cannot normally be accommodated.

For school visits please see our Outreach information.

Booking requests should be made through Mrs Kay Nakum, the Observatory administrator, on 02031 081613, or by email to

University of London Observatory
553 Watford Way
Mill Hill Park
London NW7 2QS

Requests for bookings must be confirmed by the secretary.

Friday tours begin at 18:30 and finish around 19:45. [Saturday visits start at 20:00.] If it is clear, visitors may be able to view the sky through the Fry 8-inch refractor. If the sky is not clear, no observing will be possible, but visitors will be given a full tour of the telescopes and facilities.

Personal visits

From time to time we receive requests from amateur astronomers and others to use Observatory equipment for personal research programmes. We regret that such requests cannot be accommodated.